Modern Ladder Back Chair

1865 Big Hill Road,Berea KY 40403

25 April, 2022

Description

Make a Modern Ladder Back Chair Class Date(s): Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29. 9am - 5pm. Class Title: Modern Ladder Back Chair Instructor: Dawson Moore Class Description: This chair blends inspiration in both construction process and design from the likes of the more traditional Jennie Alexander and Brian Boggs, to the more modern Danish designers Hans Wegner and Borge Mogensen. The chair’s joinery relies on the foundational concepts outlined in Alexander’s well known book “Make a Chair from a Tree” while also exploring modern efficiencies by using a lathe, drill press and router. The idea is to gain some increases in joint accuracy and to skip over some of the mundane aspects of a purely hand tool build, while still embracing the fun of splitting parts from a log and shaping with hand tools like spokeshaves and drawknives. In this class we will: ● Watch and get to practice splitting a few parts from a log. ● Shape provided front and steam bent back leg blanks with a drawknife and spokeshaves. ● Add a spokeshaved surface to provided rung turnings. ● Watch a demo of turning parts and sizing tenons on a lathe. ● Watch an alternative method of milling some parts from dried lumber. ● Learn some of the concepts behind the chair’s design and its jigs to be able to apply to other designs. ● Layout and bore rung and back slat mortises using simple and adaptable jigs. ● Shape and fit provided steam bent back slats using spokeshaves, a sloyd knife andblock plane. ● Learn about proper grain orientation that ensures longevity of chair joints. ● Learn how to use a shop made kiln to take advantage of the shrinking and expanding properties of wood. ● Watch a steam bending demo and get to perform a couple practice bends. ● Assemble the chair. ● Apply an interesting new Japanese ceramic wood finish. ● Weave a “rush” pattern (also called envelope pattern) danish paper cord seat. Tool List: Participants should bring a small kit of tools for the class. We’ll have extras of the recommended tools if your kit isn’t complete, but you’ll definitely need to bring the required tools. Required: ● Gloves for Seat Weaving (I like something like these gloves that are form fitting for good dexterity, leather soled for protection, and fabric backed for more comfort and breathability. I would recommend trying on in store to ensure a close fit.) Recommended: ● Pencil ● 6” Ruler ● Tape Measure ● Folding Ruler ● Sloyd Knife (Mora 106) ● Spokeshaves (flat and/or round bottom) ● Drawknife ● Card Scraper ● Block Plane ● Ear & Eye Protection ● Side Cutters (for trimming Danish cord)   Berea College has re-opened the former Kelly Mehler School of Woodworking under the leadership of Berea College Head of Woodcraft Andy Glenn as The Woodworking School at Pine Croft. Both Andy and Berea College are dedicated to preserving the fundamental character the school has been known for as we move the school into its next phase.  The Woodworking School at Pine Croft further supports Berea College’s 120-year commitment to the preservation and promotion of craft. While in some ways woodworking is an individual pursuit, there are common traits that connect across makers: a desire to expand our skills, furnish our homes, surround ourselves with the handmade, and join a community of dedicated craftspeople. We believe that craft can both preserve traditions and beauty – and that craft can act as a counterbalance to a disposable and consumer-reliant world. Making is essential to us. We are excited to share a place where students can grow in their skills and fulfill their creative pursuits. Providing opportunities to work with leading instructors who come from diverse backgrounds and have different woodworking perspectives. All are welcome to attend